Over 55 Liberians from the fifteen sub political division of the country Wednesday graduated from the first phase of the Bamboo and Rattan Training Skills implemented by the Government of the People's Republic China and co-sponsored by the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR).

 

The graduates, who received certificates of achievement during the program, were trained by a team of Chinese experts.

 

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Chinese Ambassador, Zhou Yuxiao, described the entire exercise as a manifestation of a bilateral cooperation between the Liberian and Chinese Governments.

 

He said the skills acquired by the beneficiaries will help them become viable and self productive.

 

According to him ,the training skills will continue to be offered in close collaboration with the UNHCR as long as the friendly relation continues to subsist between Liberia and China.

 

The Chinese envoy then proposed to the Liberian Government to consider the establishment of a bamboo and rattan industry aimed at encouraging the production of locally made bamboo and rattan products in the country.

 

He called on the Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture to work closely with the graduates to further upgrade and enhance their capacity in a bid to ensure the exportation of bamboo and rattan products to other parts of the world.

 

He noted that the exportation of these locally produced products will help boost the economy of the country and make its citizens self sufficient.

 

For his part, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai said the bamboo and rattan training initiative is in line with the government poverty reduction strategy.

 

Vice President, who challenged the graduates to make maximum use of the skills obtained, said it is hard time government creates economic utility for resources and find a markets for them.

 

According to him, with the training of the Liberians, the government now has the opportunity to export bamboo products to other countries.

 

He said that he would consider the establishment of an industry to enhance the production and sale of bamboo products in the country.

 

Source: The Heritage Newspaper